Hamilton, NZ Zoo

This zoo was set up so amazingly well that we were so close to the animals. The staff stood there and answered questions from us as long as we wanted. There were very few people visiting, so it was like it was open just for us! The animals I'm showing you are primarily NOT from New Zealand, but we had a remarkable experience with each of these critters.

Mike was fascinated by these capuchins! There were a couple of older babies playing around, but this mama with a very young baby was the cutest. They were also using their 'fingers' to pick out treats in a block of ice that was hanging in a cage.

Kunekune pig (very hairy), funny sign.

Not sure if you can see the goose to the right of the tapirs? The goose lost its mate, and chose the tapir as its next buddy. The staff tried to put it back with the other geese, but it 'loves' the tapir!

Spider monkeys were walking on their hind legs with treats in their 'hands' and one had an extra in its tail!!

Got to watch the keeper feed these brother cheetahs and they sounded like housecats.

This was the friendliest bird I have ever seen! As soon as we walked up it climbed up the fence and wanted us to pet him. It kept pushing itself against the wire every time we stopped stroking its feathers. It is a salmon-crested cockatoo.

There is a shy male peacock to the left of me, under the trees.